Web cutting mechanism for printing machines



March 15, 193. A. M. ZUCKERMAN 2,110,901

WEB CUTTING MECHANISM FOR PRINTING MACHINES Filed Dec. 6, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR.

. WLWW a" 1.. 5 7

. v A'f'l v.

Patented Mar. 15, 1938 PATENT OFFICE WEB CUTTING MECHANISM FOR PRINTING MACHINES Adolph M. Zuckerman, New York, N. Y., assignor to R. Hoe & 00., Inc.,

poration of New York New York, N. Y., a cor- Application December 6, 1935, Serial No. 53,207

14 Claims.

This invention relates to printing machines and more particularly to an improved web cuting and folding mechanism for such machines.

During the operation of printing machines, particularly of the type used for the printing of magazines or like products in rotary intaglio, it is necessary to arrange to cut the printed Web to form products of different sizes and to fold the same. This frequently requires difficult readjustments of machine parts to adapt the machine to cut and fold these products effieiently.

Cutting and folding mechanisms at present in use may be generally classified in two groups, the fixed sheet size and the variable sheet size. The fixed sheet size mechanism is run at a relatively high speed and is highly efficient, but no change in the length. of sheet cut off from the printed web is possible, while the variable sheet size mechanism will operate on sheets of varying lengths but runs much slower and is in this respect, among others, not as efficient in operation as the former mechanism.

This invention primarily contemplates the provision of an improved cutting and folding mechanism which will operate at as high a relative speed and be as efiicient as the fixed sheet size mechanism while being adapted to cut and fold products of different sizes in respect to their length without the difficulties and disadvantages heretofore encountered in the operation of variable sheet size cutting and folding mechanism.

One of the objects of this invention is to provide in a cutting and folding mechanism for a high speed printing machine, a web cutting device adapted to be operable to cut sheets of variable lengths.

Another object is to provide a web cutting device having a plurality of pairs of cooperating cutting cylinders, each pair being operable to cut a different length of sheet.

Still another object is to provide in combination with such a plurality of pairs of cutting cylinders, means to selectively dispose any pair into operative position, in respect to the folding mechanism of such a mechanism.

It is also an object of this invention to provide a web cutting and folding mechanism of generally improved construction, whereby the device will be simple, durable and relatively inexpensive in construction, as well as convenient, practical, serviceable and efiicient in its use.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the combination and arrangement of parts, and in the details of construction hereinafter described and claimed, it being understood that various changes in the precise embodiment of the invention herein disclosed may be made within the scope of what is claimed without departing from the spirit of the invention.

The preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view of the cutting, folding and delivery mechanisms of a printing machine and illustrates the disposition of the mechanism embodying the features of this invention in relation thereto;

Figure 2 is an elevational View of a mechanism embodying the features of this invention; and

Figure 3 is a view of the mechanism shown in Figure 2, looking in the direction indicated by arrow 3.

Figure 1 illustrates a sheet cutting and folding mechanism, including an arrangement of Web guiding rolls I I, a pair of nipping or feeding rolls I2, another pair of feeding rolls l3, cooperating folding cylinders I4 and I5, and selectively operable delivery cylinders and belts, indicated respectively at It and I! in one location, and at l8 and I9 in the other. The feeding rollers I3 may be provided with tension adjusting mechanism such as is indicated at 2B. The folding cylinders I I and I5 may be provided with any desirable form of sheet folding means, and the delivery cylinders I6 and I8 may be in the form of gripper cylinders, to receive the folded products from the cylinder I5 and deliver them to the respective belt I? or I9. All of the above elements are operatively mounted between machine frames 23 and 24.

In accordance with the features and principles of this invention, a plurality of pairs of cooperating sheet cutting cylinders are provided and arranged to be selectively disposed in operable position between the pairs of sheet feeding rolls I2 and I3. In this instance, three pairs of cutting cylinders are provided, the diameters of which are of proper dimension to permit the selective disposition of any one pair, to permit its use with the printing cylinders and size of form being used in the machine, so as to sever the web into sheets of the proper size. Each pair of cutting cylinders is provided with suitable web cutting means such as is indicated at 25, and a sheet guide is provided below each pair of cylinders to receive the cut sheets and direct them away therefrom.

Cylinders 21 and 28 of one pair and a sheet guide 29 are rotatably mounted intermediate the ends of a carriage 3| between the side members 32 and 33 thereof. Cylinders 34 and 35 of another pair, with a sheet guide 36, are similarly mounted at one end, and cylinders 31 and 38 of another pair, with a sheet guide 39, are mounted at the other end of the carriage 3|. The cylinders 37 and 38 are considerably smaller in diameter than the cylinders 21 and 28 to adapt them to cut smaller sheets, and the diameter of cylinders 34 and 35 is such that sheets of intermediate size will be severed from the product. Each pair of cylinders is provided with suitable adjustingmeans, indicated .at 4|, which is operable to adjust the space between the cylinders of each pair, to suit the thickness of the product.

The carriage 3| is herein shown mounted upon and between the machine frames 23 and 24 for adjustable movement, to permit selective positioning of the pairs of cutting cylinders into operative relation with the pairs of feeding rolls l2 and I3. The carriage 3| is guided in its movements relative to the frames 23 and 24 by lugs 42 extending from the sides 32 and 33 of the carriage and overlapping the sides of the frames. The carriage 3| is secured in its adjusted position by'bolts or screws 43, one of which is carried by each lug 42, and which screw into tapped holes 44 suitably spaced in the frames.

The carriage 3| may be moved along frames 23 and 24 by rotating a shaft 45 which extends between the frames and on which is secured pinions 46, which mesh with racks 41 mounted, one upon each of the sides 32 and 33 of the carriage 3|. The shaft 45 is herein extended beyond one of the frames and is formed at its end 48 to be engaged by a suitable operating handle.

The pairs of cutting cylinders may be rotated in synchronism with the printing machine and driven by gears and 52 secured on the shafts of the folding cylinders l4 and |5 respectively, through an idler gear 53. The idler gear 53 is mounted upon a swingable arm 54 pivoted upon the shaft 55 of cylinder M. The gear 53 is adapted to mesh with a gear 56 removably secured upon the shaft of one of the cuttingcylinders of the pair disposed in operative position, it being understood that the cylinders of each pair are geared together for simultaneous rotation. Herein the gear 53 is shown in mesh with a gear 55 secured upon the shaft of cylinder 21. The shafts of the cylinders 21, 34, and 31 are all arranged to receive the gear 56 so that it may be employed to drive any pair of cutting cylinders that it is desired to use. The arm 54 is provided with openings 51 through which bolts or screws 58 may be passed to lock the arm 54 in its gear meshing position. Rollers 59 may be provided, mounted in the lower edge of carriage sides 32 and 33, to support the carriage upon the adjacent frame.

By the provision of structure as exemplified by the mechanism above described, the cutting and folding mechanism of a printing machine may be readily and conveniently adapted to sever and fold products of different sizes from a printed web. When in the position shown in Figure 2 the mechanism is adapted to sever and fold products of comparatively large size by operating the cylinders 21 and 28 in cooperation with the folding cylinders l4. and I5. The mechanism may be readily adjusted by loosening the screws 43 and moving the carriage 3| to selectively position any one of the plurality of pairs of .cutting cylinders relatively to the folding cylinders l4 and I5, and after placing the gear 56 on the shaft of the chosen cutting cylinder swinging the arm 54 to properly mesh the gear 53 with the driving gear 56, the position of which changes slightly, as the distance between its axis and the web is dependent on the radius of the cutting cylinder in use. When the cutting cylinders 31 and 38 are moved relatively to the folding cylinders l4 and I5 into operative position in place of cylinders 21 and 28, the mechanism is adapted to cut and fold products of comparatively small size, and when cylinders 34 and 35 are selected and-disposed in operative position, products of an intermediate size can be cut and folded.

It will be understood that the invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof, and it is therefore desired that the present embodiment be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, and it will be further understood that each and every novel feature and combination present in or possessed by the mechanism herein disclosed forms a part of the invention included in this application.

What I claim is:

1. In a machine for feeding and cutting a web into sheets and folding the sheets, a frame, a folder operably supported in fixed position in the frame, a carriage mounted for movement relative to the frame, a plurality of pairs of cooperating cutting cylinders operably supported in the movable carriage, each pair of cooperating cutting cylinders being of different diameter so that each pair cuts products of length different from the lengths of'the products out by the other pairs, means for feeding the web through a predetermined path of travel, means for fixedly securing the movable carriage in position to locate a selected pair of cooperating cutting cylinders in operative position to engage and cut the web into sheets of predetermined length during the travel of the web through its predetermined path, and means for feeding the cut sheets from the selected pair of cooperating cutting cylinders through a predetermined path of travel to the fixed folder Where the sheets are folded.

2. In a machine for feeding and cutting a web into sheets and folding the sheets, .a frame, a folder operably supported in fixed position in the frame, a carriage mounted for movement in and relative to the frame, cylinders operably supported by the carriage and arranged to provide a plurality of pairs of cooperating cutting cylinders, each pair of cooperating cutting cylinders being of different diameter so that each pair cuts products of length different from the lengths of the products out by the other pairs, means for feeding the web through a predetermined path of travel, means for guiding the movable carriage in a predetermined path of travel in the frame, means for securing the carriage in a plurality of positions in the frame, any one of which positions locating a selected pair of cooperating cutting cylinders in operative position to engage and cut the web into sheets of predetermined length during its travel through said predetermined path, and means for guiding the cut sheets from the selected pair of cutting cylinders through a predetermined path of travel to the fixed folder where the sheets are folded.

3. In a machine for feeding and cutting a web into sheets and folding the sheets, a frame, a folder operably supported in fixed position in the frame, a carriage mounted for movement relative to the frame, a plurality of pairs of cooperating cutting cylinders operably supported in the movable carriage, each pair of cooperating cutting cylinders being of different diameter so that each pair cuts products of length different from the lengths of the products cut by the other pairs, means for feeding the web through a predetermined path of travel, means for guid ing the movable carriage in a predetermined path of travel in the frame, means for moving the carriage along the said path of travel, means for securing the carriage in one of a plurality of positions along its path of travel to locate a selected pair of cooperating cutting cylinders in operative position to engage and cut the web into sheets of predetermined length during its travel through the predetermined path, and means for feeding the cut sheets from the selected pair of cutting cylinders through a predetermined path of travel to the fixed folder where the sheets are folded.

4. In a machine for feeding and cutting a web into sheets and folding the sheets, a frame, a folder operably supported in fixed position in the frame, a carriage mounted for rectilinear movement relative to the frame, a plurality of pairs of cooperating cutting cylinders operably supported in the movable carriage, each pair of cooperating cutting cylinders being of different diameter so that each pair cuts products of length different from the lengths of the products cut by the other pairs, means for feeding the web through a predetedmined path of travel, means for imparting rectilinear movement to the movable carriage, means for fixedly securing the movable carriage in position to locate a selected pair of cooperating cutting cylinders in operative position to engage and cut the Web into sheets of predetermined length during the travel of the web through its predetermined path, and means for feeding the cut sheets from the selected pair of cutting cylinders through a predetermined path of travel to the fixed folder Where the sheets are folded.

5. In a machine for feeding andcutting a web into sheets and folding the sheets, a frame having rectilinear guideways formed therein, a folder operably supported in fixed position in the frame, a carriage mounted for rectilinear movement in the guideways of the frame, a plurality of pairs of cooperating cutting cylinders operably supported in the movable carriage, each pair of cooperating cutting cylinders being of different diameter so that each pair cuts products of length different from the lengths of the products cut by the other pairs, means for feeding the web through a predetermined path of travel, means for imparting rectilinear movement tothe carriage along the said guideways, means for fixedly securing the movable carriage in position to locate a selected pair of cooperating cutting cylinders in operative position to engage and cut the web into sheets of predetermined length during the travel of the web through its predetermined path, and means for guiding the cut sheets from the selected pair of cutting cylin ders through a predetermined path of travel to the fixed folder where the sheets are folded.

6. In a machine for feeding and cutting a web into sheets and folding the sheets, a frame, a folder operably supported in fixed position in the frame, guide rollers operably positioned above the folder to guide the web downwardly to the folder, a carriage mounted for horizontal movement in the said frame along a predetermined path of travel intermediate the guide roller and the folder, a plurality of pairs of coopcrating cutting cylinders operably supported in the movable carriage, each pair of cooperating cutting -cylinders being of different diameter so that each pair cuts products of length different from the lengths of the products out by the other pairs, means for fixedly securing the movable carriage in position to locate a selected pair of cooperating cutting cylinders in operative position' to engage and out the web into sheets of predetermined length during the travel of the Web from the rollers to the folder, and means for feeding the cut sheets from the selected pair of cutting cylinders through a predetermined path of travel to the fixed folder where the sheets are folded.

7. In a machine for feeding and cutting a Web into sheets and folding the sheets, a frame, a folder operably supported in fixed position in the frame, a pair of cooperating guide rollers positioned above the folder to guide the web downwardly to the folder, a carriage mounted for movement transversely to the run of the web, a plurality of pairs of cooperating cutting cylinders operably supported in the movable carriage, each pair of cooperating cutting cylinders being of dilferent diameter so that each pair cuts products of length different from the lengths of the products out by the other pairs, means for guiding the carriage in its path of travel transversely to the run of the Web, means for moving the carriage along the said transverse path of travel, means for fixedly securing the movable carriage in position to locate a selected pair of cooperatingcutting cylinders in operative position to engage and cut the web into sheets of predetermined length during the travel of the web from the guide rollers to the folder, and means for feeding the cut sheets from the selected pair of cutting cylinders through a predetermined path of travel to the fixed folder Where the sheets are folded.

8. In a machine for feeding and cutting a web into sheets and folding the sheets, a frame, a folder operably supported in fixed position in the frame, a carriage mounted for rectilinear movement relative to the frame, a plurality of pairs of cooperating cutting cylinders operably supported in the movable carriage, each pair of cooperating cutting cylinders being of different diameter so that each pair cuts products of length different from the lengths of the products out by the other pairs, a pinion operably supported by the frame, means for guiding the carriage along a predetermined rectilinear path of travel in the frame, a rack member supported by the carriage for operable engagement with the pinion so that rotation of the pinion moves the carriage along its path of travel, means for feeding the web through a predetermined path of travel, means for fixedly securing the movable carriage in position to locate a selected pair of cooperating cutting cylinders in operative position to en gage and cut the web into sheets of predetermined length during the travel of the web through its predetermined path, and means for feeding the cut sheets from the selected pair of cutting cylinders through a predetermined path of travel to the fixed folder where the sheets are folded.

9. In a machine for feeding and cutting a plurality of webs into sheets and folding the sheets, a frame, a folder operably supported in fixed position in the frame, a carriage mounted for movement relative to the frame, a plurality of pairs of cooperating cutting cylinders operably supported in the movable carriage and arranged to out different numbers of webs, each pair of cooperating cutting cylinders being of different diameter so that each pair cuts products of length different from the lengths of the products out by the other pairs, means provided for each pair of cooperating cutting cylinders for adjusting the operative position of the cylinders relative to each other to accommodate different numbers of webs, means for guiding the carriage in a predetermined path of travel in the frame, means for feeding the webs through a predetermined path of travel, means for fixedly securing the movable carriage in position to locate a selected pair of cooperating cutting cylinders in operative position to engage and cut the webs into sheets of predetermined length during the travel of the web through its predetermined path, and means for feeding the cut sheets from the selected pair of cooperating cutting cylinders through a predetermined path of travel to the fixed folder where the sheets are folded.

10. In a machine for feeding and cutting Webs into sheets and folding the sheets, a frame, a folder operably supported in fixed position in the frame, a carriage mounted for movement relative to the frame, a plurality of pairs of cooperating cutting cylinders operably supported in the movable carriage and arranged toout different numbers of webs, each pair of cooperating cutting cylinders being of different diameter so that each pair cuts products of length different from the lengths of the products cut by the other pairs, means for feeding the webs through a predetermined path of travel, means provided for each pair of cooperating cutting cylinders for adjusting the operative position of the cylinders relative to each other to accommodate different numbers of webs, means for guiding the carriage along a predetermined rectilinear path of travel in the frame, a pinion operably supported by the frame, a rack member supported by the carriage for operable engagement with the pinion so that rotation of the pinion moves the carriage along its path of travel, means for fixedly securing the movable carriage in position to locate a selected pair of cooperating cutting cylinders in operative position to engage and cut the webs into sheets of predetermined length during the travel of the webs through their predetermined path, and means for feeding the cut sheets from the selected pair of cutting cylinders through a predetermined path of travel to: the fixed folder where the sheets are folded.

11. In a machine for feeding and cutting a web into sheets and folding the sheets, a frame, a carriage mounted for movement in and relative to the frame, cylinders operably supported by the carriage and arranged to provide a plurality of pairs of cooperating cutting cylinders, each pair of cooperating cutting cylinders being of different diameter so that each pair cuts products of length different from the lengths of products cut by the other pairs, means for fixedly securing the movable carriage in position to locate a selected pair of cooperating cutting cylinders in operative position to engage and cut the web during its travel through the machine.

12. In a machine for feeding and cutting a Web into sheets and folding the sheets, a frame having rectilinear guideways formed therein, a carriage mounted for rectilinear movement in the guideways of the frame, cylinders operably supported in the carriage and arranged to provide a plurality of pairs of cooperating cutting cylinders, means for imparting rectilinear movement to the carriage along the guideways, and means for fixedly securing the carriage in position to locate a selected pair of cooperating cutting cylinders in operative position to engage and out the web during its travel through the machine.

13. In a machine for feeding and cutting a plurality of webs into sheets and folding the sheets, a frame, a carriage movably mounted in the frame, cylinders operably supported by the carriage and arranged to provide a plurality of pairs of cooperating cutting cylinders capable of cutting different numbers of webs, means provided for each pair of cooperating cutting cylinders for adjusting the operative position of the cylinders relative to each other to accommodate different'numbers of webs, means for guiding the carriage in a predetermined path of travel in the frame, and means for securing the carriage in a plurality of positions in the frame, any one of which positions locating a selected pair of cooperating cutting cylinders in operative position to engage and cut the webs during their travel through the machine.

14. In a machine for feeding and cutting a plurality of webs into sheets and folding the sheets, a frame, a carriage movably mounted in the frame, cylinders operably supported by the carriage and arranged to provide a plurality of pairs of cooperating cutting cylinders capable of cutting different numbers of webs, means provided for each pair of cooperating cutting cylinders for adjusting the operative position of the cylinders relative to each other to accommodate different numbers of webs, a pinion operably supported by the frame, means for guiding the carriage along a predetermined rectilinear path of travel in the frame, a rack member supported by the carriage for operable engagement with the pinion so that rotation of the pinion moves the carriage along its path of travel, and means for securing the carriage in a plurality of positions in the frame, any one of which positions locating a selected pair of cooperating cutting cylinders in opera tive position to engage and cut the Webs during their travel through the machine.

ADOLPI-I M. ZUCKERMLAN. 

